Seated Academic Male Nude in Profile to Left c. 17th century

Andrea Camassei made this academic study of a male nude in profile with red chalk sometime in the 17th century. The male nude was a cornerstone of artistic training in Europe, reflecting the classical ideals of beauty, strength, and heroism, but also serving as a social gatekeeper. Consider the power dynamics inherent in the male gaze, which historically positioned men as active subjects and women as passive objects. By focusing on the male form, Camassei participates in the historical celebration of masculinity, while simultaneously normalizing the male body as the primary subject of artistic study and appreciation. As you stand here, ask yourself, whose bodies are deemed worthy of representation and admiration? And how do these historical biases continue to shape our perceptions of beauty, gender, and power today?